JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum Finding an amateur opera singer

Right. So for whatever reason, I've been penning a rock/opera crossover song. The melody is a little more complex than I'm used to and there are some difficult key changes (for me), but overall I think I like it.

The opera verse/chorus is the hard part of course. I didn't want the melody to explicitly follow the rock melody, but it sounds pretty nice even if it does. So I'm still working out how to get a lot of energy in that section while bringing the rock vocals in at the end to finish it off in grand fashion.

I thought I could just type in 'amateur opera singer' in Google and find lots of prospects. Not so. I can't easily find anyone. There are a few opera performance groups I could try to tap, but they seem to be more focused on the live action aspect of the genre.

I need a great singer and maybe someone who can write pleasant Italian lyrics to a melody. This will be an indie sounding composition, so no sweeping orchestras, but I'm confident I can craft an emotional piece. Opera, acoustic and electric guitars, and fat synths -- just what the muse ordered.

So... anyone know anyone? Any tips to finding someone?

Jason

Finding an amateur opera singer is likely going to be easier than finding a competent Italian lyricist here in the US.

My suggestion:

1. Contact the nearest local music school to you. Ask if they have a voice degree in opera or can refer you to the closest university that does. That's where you're most likely to find a developing and thus amateur opera singer.

2. Do a search for any message boards in Italy that might deal with the music industry. We've not had luck attracting our Italian members to post here, but you might find some via that type of search. If not, write all your lyrics in english and then recruit a translator to port them over. A direct translation may not work without someone to nuance them into Italian that works musically. For that you may have to pay unless you find someone who can do it and who wants to co-write with you as equals rather than a hired gun.

I know folks who have done opera's in German and painstakingly translated it back into English to make it work. It was a multi year project but it was a great result. If this is a serious project on your end, one that you're really going to spend time and energy on, it can definitely be done. But if it's just a side project that you have a whim for at the moment, you'll likely have a harder time. Only you know the answer to that.

Good luck,

Brian

Male or female? My girlfriend, Jillian Goldin, is a soprano - she just might be who you are looking for. She's a senior student at Peabody Conservatory with extensive opera experience. Plus she does recording for people on the side, knows Italian, AND writes lyrics.

www.jilliangoldin.com

Send her an email! Her rates are very reasonable considering her skill and the quality of her recordings. Among other credits, she recently sang on the soundtrack to the megahit game "Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword".

Thank you for the advice.

Andrew, this is exactly what I was looking for. The melody and lyrics are the most important part so the male/female vocals aren't a big deal right now. I could always try switching them if it didn't sound right.

I'll definitely email, thank you!

There is a guy over at Musician Collaboration

www.musicianscollaboration.com

User name Mimmo, Great voice and is Italian... worked with Jake Whalen.. He seemed very happy with the collaboration.

Cheers